This progressive guide emphasizes the use of vector mechanics and vector mathematics in its treatment of statistics, and is the first engineering mechanics book of its kind to address the use of computational software for computing solutions and for visualizing physical properties - reflecting the latest developments in the methods of analysis of mechanics problems by incorporating the highly sophisticated computational software packages currently available. Uses computational software as a vector calculator (so readers can perform vector manipulations quickly and accurately, allowing them more time to focus on the fundamentals), and provides direct vector calculations throughout (presenting systematic methods to solve some vector equations without expanding into scalar components). Offers a Matrix Solution of Systems of Equations using computational software; uses discontinuity functions to make shear and moment calculations and plots; and provides such powerful computational tools as symbolic manipulation and plotting for visualization of forces and the effects of geometry, and other parameters on internal and reaction forces and moments. Approximately 1,000 problems and 95 worked sample problems help foster understanding, and all sample problems and the use of computational software (Mathcad, MATLAB, Mathematica and Maple) are presented in four separate manuals (one for each software program).